please please. please . this is r.t. tonight a number of civilian hostages are dead with more being held at gunpoint by islamic terrorists in algeria it's in retaliation for the french assault in neighboring mali but paris maintains its actions are justified we'll bring you the latest this hour and forced to tackle the hostage crisis in algeria british prime minister david cameron yet again delays a long anticipated address aimed at tackling the issue of the u.k.'s future role within the european union. of a headline from us tonight the artistic director of russia's bolshoi theater undergoes treatment for severe chemical burns to his face after an acid attack

which officials are linking to sinister professional rivalry. and israeli voters prepared to head to the polls next tuesday we'll look into why prime minister binyamin netanyahu is seeing his support ebb away. over a good evening to its kevin owen here at the r.t. new center tonight just after nine pm moscow time now our top story islamic terrorists are still holding an international group of hostages at a gas plant in algeria tonight with the local military continuing their attempts to free the captives a number of civilians were killed during a blitz rescue attempt by algerian forces which drew anger from the international community the militants say they're acting a reversions for the french intervention in neighboring mali but paris is

maintaining now it only helps justify its campaign. to reports. wildly varying reports as to the number of casualties how many hostages awed dead but we do know that at least two civilian workers two brits have been killed and up to as many as thirty more international hostages could be dead now these are peaceful civilians from all around the world that were working at the facility they've suddenly found themselves in the middle of this very dangerous situation where the algerian military have apparently been criticized for going in guns blazing you know the u.k. and the u.s. have already complained that they weren't really warned in advance that this rescue operation was taking place and they've got a number of citizens there at the moment it's very sketchy still what's going on but david cameron over in the u.k. has already warned britons to brace themselves for multiple casualties and for more

bad news potentially on the way so we're just trying to get a clearer picture of what's going on there at the moment many were very surprised at how quickly fronts wattle and jumped into this intervention just one week ago when the strikes in the north of mali began and of course with the crisis now the sakes with the crisis in algeria the stakes are really getting much higher we've got a number of civilian casualties from countries that aren't even fronts from the u.k. from britain from japan all in this very dangerous situation and a lot of political analysts saying that yes other terrorist attacks in retaliation for the french military offensive in mali of very much a possibility now we've also got critics over in the u.k. and in the u.s. saying that this is the place that the these allies of france are now paying for supporting this intervention that was quite a hastily planned and

a bit of surprise announcement last week so of course france while london needs to spin. the crisis to suit his own needs and he said that the behavior of these militants and the very brutal reports that we're receiving from the gas compound in algeria that justifies he says the french military intervention in mali up until a few days ago almost two thirds of the french public supported this military intervention in mali but for francois hollande that could change very very quickly as we're seeing these civilian casualties pile up i mean we know that we had civilian casualties in the ground in mali you know throughout the course of last week but this crisis has really upped the stakes with a number of western casualties and other countries now being dragged into this situation this is turning into a very sticky and difficult situation for all and and of course this is a man who was voted in last year in france for his rather peaceful credentials he

actually said that he wanted to cut his paternalistic ties with former french colonies but we've seen him jump into this conflict very very quickly and a lot of political analysts are also saying that it could turn into a real quagmire and that these islamist groups these al qaeda linked groups could actually be much stronger in the region then the french previously anticipated so it could turn into a much longer conflict than anybody thought. through a publicist. to political battle ground in a war for the regions resources. ali is a strategic lynchpin in that it borders on truth which is one of the top goals of various. interventions from friends from from the u.s. and others. mauritania that the course you took you know fossil and all of this is

just swimming in untapped resources whether people or mainly what were you i think i think we're seeing a very cynical game between are here in mali and it's a very dangerous one what africa's suddenly becoming a cardinal that's been discovered by china by the u.s. or europe and the rest of the world as the place where one tall wealth and resources can be and we capture william i think there will be i don't know what you think the fallout from the algeria hostage crisis will be we're inviting you to do that in our website r.t. dot com you can take part in our latest online poll let's take a look at the numbers this is what you've been telling us this hour that changed a little bit this hour slightly less if you think there's a miss will join forces and escalate the conflict in north africa right about a third of you there think it will lead to a large scale nato led libya style campaign big worry if that happens eighteen percent of using as you can see on the graph predict the reoccupation of mali by france and the minority there just five percent this hour expect western troops to

withdraw amid growing pressure on president land that you can go online still plenty of time to do it tonight i'll be tracking those votes every hour for you on the graph here on the wall now britain's prime minister's one the u.k. to prepare for bad news to as around ten british citizens are in militant captivity tonight in algeria the crisis forced david cameron indeed to perspire own his long awaited address on britain's status within the e.u. which he was due to deliver earlier on today details about that from r.t. sara firth now. going hostage situation in algeria of course that was the reason for the postponement but of course we've seen some of the extracts coming out of that speech that he was key to give in the netherlands today and certainly there was some strong words in it he said that there was a gap between the and his citizens and that if something wasn't done to address these challenges that europe could cause the speech that would have been given this

is really considered a very pivotal point in his leadership and a hugely important speech the extraction a quite a positive actually overall perhaps more positive than many of the euro skeptics would have liked to see he has some points on it that he talks about in sort of growing and building this relationship with the now we know that there was thought going to be put on the table the possibility of a referendum deal that would take place after the twenty fifth the general election a lot of concern here that that will leave britain a can two years of uncertainty but actually what the prime minister was going to highlight is this would be starting the firing guns so to speak on the big debate britain's relationship with the e.u. we haven't heard yet when the next day will be after this latest press payment of course we've seen is still a number of times already so there's a lot of consensus of the the talk around this that all the hype around this is

building has it really being seen as having contributed hugely to helping get clarity on this issue and i think what people are going to be looking for from the speech when it eventually comes is for some clarity in leadership of the. british conservative party politician of the director of the bruges group says david cameron could no longer delay solving this longstanding problem is to listen to what he was. he needs to set a clear course of what he's going to be doing regarding the european you have a clear distinctive workable policy to fail to do that just keeps the speculation going and keep the infighting in the conservative party continuing so really he needs to get a grip on this policy as soon as possible and perhaps not try and ally having a referendum till some time after the next general election that's even if he is prime minister of the whole of it before that would be the best way to end the uncertainty and so we know exactly where we are going britain pays billions each

year to the european union we have enormous costs put on the british economy as a result of excessive e.u. regulation and e.u. policies they just don't work for this country it's more of a hindrance than it is a help to the british economy and of course it undermines our own democracy and the option is quite simply to either stay in the european union as it is which doesn't work for many different people or course leave the european union and negotiate a. basis of a relationship that is purely built around trade and the sooner david cameron delivers the wishes of the british people but turns power or exits the european union the better. the arts director of moscow's bolshoi certain surrogate felons being treated in hospital for severe chemical burns after a must man poured acid in his face in central moscow feeling left a no on the go extensive treatment in belgium an attempt to save his sight of his legs across the story. well the bolshoi theatre the pride and joy of the russian

culture is celebrating exactly one hundred eighty eight years since it was created but definitely this birthday celebration has been marred by this gruesome attack on a statistic director so gay feeling was returning from work on thursday night when and notified man called him out by his name sygate turned around to respond and the man reportedly threw a ball of acid into his face we know that's a good feeling was taken to a hospital and the doctors have been battling to save his eyesight in the latest information we received that's a good feeling will most likely be traveling to belgium to have treatment there the prosecutor's office has launched an investigation a criminal case to determine who stands behind this attack but the bolshoi press officer said that sergei was intimidated for several months at his car tires were slashed threatening phone calls and his facebook page was hacked as as we saw in the hollywood movie the black swan definitely the big stage is certainly

a rather conflict zone and there is some infighting happening behind the scenes the bolshoi theatre has never been an exception to that there have been stories of some serious infighting hard to get roles to get a prima ballerina positions we had heard many revelations from former artists of the bolshoi on that still we talked to the colleagues and employees of a feeling they were all shell shocked at what happened. it's an incredibly difficult day for us the don's company is an enormous shock it's really hot speak as with always we're told to shoulder it's a brutal crime and i hope those responsible will be fun and punished sergey he brought up a special creative spirit inside the company he brought up a lot of new dancers and ballet had a lot of new productions to make and my personal feeling it was that inside the company it was a great feeling of mutual company in spirit but surely somebody was unhappy was that despite all the infighting and despite the fact that sygate was the one who

was assigning all the roles in the bolshoi theatre still the bolshoi never made criminal had lines in this attack is something completely outrageous for other bolshoi theater but definitely everyone is waiting for the results of the destination for some of these preliminary data from the security authorities to see whether this could have been inside job and whether somebody inside the bush or if you could have been responsible for this terrible attack. months after hurricane sandy devastated america's east coast survivors homes remain in school and later on they were appalled and want they say on getting the necessary support from the government as they look to rebuild their lives and how. do we speak your language. with music programs and documentaries in spanish what matters to you breaking news

a little eternity of angola's stories. for you here. in troy altie spanish to find out more visit. mission to free credit take three months for a judge agree. three. three stooges free. download free blanquita cullum video for your media

project free media r t dot com. feel. polls conducted by israeli newspapers suggest prime minister benjamin netanyahu set to win the upcoming parliamentary poll in just four days time get his support appears to be dwindling with many far right voters now regarding that and i was policies as too soft. looks into what challenges he could face that a free elected. he's the surprise success story of israel's election campaign i want twee millionaire he says a palestinian state would be suicide for israel naftali bennett used to work for prime minister netanyahu but now he's working at taking supporters away from him like this man who used to be a diehard supporter of netanyahu so he could party until these elections rolled around the likud is. a bus full of right wing members of knesset with a left wing person driving the bus. as far as being i mean.

even though i am opposed to it. i would say most members of the likud obviously when a minute is for it the irony is that while the world sees netanyahu as a want to leader at home he's losing face among supporters for not being focused enough this is part of the right wing campaign he's up against there are some things we all know one never happen and the sopranos will never return for another season climbs the line with a marker on our pro and a peace agreement with the palestinians will not happen promises like this have put in its jewish home party in food position it's poised to take more than twelve percent of parliamentary seats analysts say little yahoo was still expected to serve another term is running scared he's up his rhetoric i say in the most clear of terms the western wall is not occupied territory i don't care what the un says

we will build in jerusalem because it's our right not on your hands we could list has grown even more right wing with radicals like this woman high up in the pecking order. but the league would be taken apart it is a party with values the state of israel is a state of the jews whose eternal capital. but what will be the implications of such rhetoric after the elections many israelis are asking themselves about the day after will netanyahu become more rightwing and risk drawing israel into conflicts with its neighbors or will he back down and risk losing face among his supporters. is hoping for the latter that netanyahu will listen to world opinion and reach a compromise with the palestinians he knows all too well what the current cycle of violence can bring speakers daughter was killed in a suicide bombing seventeen years ago. that we don't have unfortunately in the

center and the left. a leader who is significantly charismatic to lead this country and give its people hope the left is also divided but i do think netanyahu will find a way to compromise because of world pressure but that compromise won't come easy enough to the bennett solution to the israeli palestinian conflict is to annex most of the west bank while allowing palestinians a limited self rule in the west and while that might not seem a possible idea to most of the international community it's exactly what his constituency wants to hear a fact natanya who is acutely aware of policy r.t. tel aviv. well of course were closely following the campaign trail in israel including the election next tuesday fill in that coverage to state changes you can also follow on our website as well r.t. dot com. how will tension with to run develop full settlement expansion isolate chan there be peace with gaza what's next in relations with america will netanyahu

survive his snuff election on january twenty second. israel decides the larger. well top stories nights we reported that russia's former defense minister could find himself in the center of a criminal case and i told he said the coffs now being investigated over allegations of abusing his power the probes already revealed that some top defense officials ordered soldiers to landscape the gardens of a military vacation facility belonging to city cops brother in law the defense ministry is also working at the center of a multi-million dollar embezzle month scandal for several months until he said of course was fired by president putin november he's been a witness in a number of fraud cases involving his former colleagues to. other world news the latest round of talks officials from the u.n. nuclear watchdog are returning from iran without securing a deal on investigating suspected atomic bomb research i am specters being denied access to a military site which they've been trying to get inside for several years now more

talks have been reshow jools for mid february the us and israel of long accused iran of efforts to develop nuclear weapons that is something that continues to deny . greek lawmakers turned on a former finance minister accused of hampering attacks probe voted to investigate george packer constant over claims that he removed his relatives names from a list of tax evasion suspects called the god list france handed over the names of more than two thousand greeks with swiss bank accounts of a constant claims that he's a scapegoat though he denies any wrongdoing greece is a major tax crackdown as it battles his worst of a financial crisis. friday violence in syria it's seen a rocket hit a building in the northern city of aleppo and two car bombs explode in the country's south both the rebels and the government blame each other for it three days ago twin blasts of aleppo university killed eighty seven people rebels and islamic militants linked to al qaeda and now targeting military bases across syria tried to defeat president assad's army the u.n.

estimating to the number of dead in the conflict has climbed to over sixty. ukraine's jailed former prime minister yulia timoshenko could be facing a life sentence prosecutors have announced an end to an investigation in the into the murder of a former ukrainian m.p. and prominent entrepreneur in one thousand nine hundred six and that crucially was among those who had ordered the assassination let's get more now live from r.t. zico piskun off is joining us igor hi there thanks speak with us what are the prosecution saying what what is the latest from them gruesome details about first. well the investigators have been looking into the murder of the deputy of the ukrainian parliament which happened in one thousand nine hundred six and last year his son passed a certain documents to them which point too much and his connection to the murder and no ukrainian prosecutors have announced that the investigation is over and she is suspected of being among those who organized the murder and also allegedly paid

over two million dollars for it now ukrainian authorities also say that the ukrainian former prime minister yulia tymoshenko has already been officially notified that she's now a suspect and if found guilty she could be facing up to wife behind bars and of course she's already in jail if you can remind us of why she's there already what's the backstory here. you did so much and was sentenced to seven years behind bars in october two thousand and eleven for the access of power when she was the prime minister and made a deal with russia's energy giant gas from now she's been serving this time already in jail and we also know that she's been experiencing problems with her health receiving medical treatment also behind bars but like i said if this latest case continues and she is found guilty of these latest accusations that she could spend

much more time in prison to go thanks the update appreciate. the victims of hurricane sandy closer to getting the fifty one billion dollars of aid they desperately need after the u.s. house of representatives approved the package of top lawmakers over two months to act though while the storm survivors struggled with next and i would support as a necessary check in at the port. or just beach trying to cost area. the rockaways in queens one of the places hit hardest by hurricane sandy to want to have months ago still in shambles today miles and miles of devastated businesses residential buildings and houses like this one a place some family probably used to call home now almost literally hanging by a thread with almost zero chance of ever being rebuilt few locals on the collapsed

boardwalk most of them in dire need of help this man who chose to remain anonymous to two government related work survived hurricane katrina his hopes of recovery post sandy are meager aid never going to move you still go parts of alabama louisiana mississippi were got hit with katrina. they've been touched yet after sandy hit and lead october he spent over a month with no electricity heat or hot water and thirty degree weather fame or three times i feel the creation of three times i got. had the poor are the folks here that put him in office the least on the a list money looks better in your pocket than is spending it on something that may get washed away again i had to replace my. water heater retired local roberta hof was currently burning building her walls floors em stairs says the destruction after the hurricane has

been immense we don't have a movie theater we don't have the hospital it's gone the banks and finally opening now it's two and a half months it looks like here as after a war or after no in afghanistan or something. and most of the help in hurricane affected areas has come from volunteers i didn't see too much of the red cross to be truth it was volunteers who have often been affected by sandy themselves like ayman use of from staten island actually it was like a foot on top of it that's how much it was the water his house deemed unsafe after the hurricane is about to be demolished the only thing we need is the plants. to get you know we were getting like two percents we were going to get the ninety percent that's a mystery we need a check from god that's what we for a month and a half a man lived in this tent where he also set up a help center for the community somewhere a lot of people coming there are still six seven hundred people. a day six seven hundred yes yes. all of these people victims of sandy everybody around here go up

to them they'll tell you the same thing they said you know they handed me a sandwich and a blanket and i was in water up to my chest and they said see you later oh by the way i want to exit the truck occupy sandy a child of the occupy wall street movement has been a big part of the recovery effort to even praised by the n.y.p.d. what we have is a lot of people coming in here and not knowing where to turn and some of them are in tears and you know it's very hard to tell them that help is coming and you hear all this talk about the nine billion if you would think that would be a big help if it actually got to communities while politicians seem to have perfected the skill of arguing over how much cash to spend on relief aid getting money and help to ordinary people who needed right now is clearly a skill that is yet to be learned and if they see churkin. new york. check out our web site. this isn't a joke it's real it could have been serious but

a man falls off a trade in a freezing siberian forest stay with me wearing only a t. shirt sweat pants and slippers it's true it happened he survived. amazing story. tonight. so it's going to see the beautiful the top vatican cleric graces the cover of vanity but more of what he's doing there is at our website. same programs lined up tonight peter lavelle and his guests that waiting in the wings they going to be cross talking which way russia's foreign policy will point in the year ahead great program coming up that after this break.

well to british. market why not. find out what's really happening to the global economy live. for a no holds barred look at the global financial headlines tune into a report.